Can we scan barcodes using a phone/mobile device?

[rrowe1975]

It would be very helpful, if you could scan your barcodes with you qreader, on your phone, when doing purchases with register app. 

Is this at all in the works. 

[TheFuzzyP]

It's been like 2 years with no update. Can confirm this method works great but please keep in mind the scanner apps have access to your keyboard/camera and can view you typing in passwords on other sites as well. Use it with a separate business phone just for square. 

1. Download barcode scanner app

2. Allow keyboard and camera permissons

3. Open square and go to library

4. Touch search icon

5. Select scanner on keyboard option

6. Scan 

Note: You will need a separate sku for EACH variation with woocommerce, not just an umbrella sku, to have the scanner select the correct variation.

[SenaRae]

While the method I have discovered is not ideal......it does speed up the process somewhat from “customers gathering around a single terminal for checkout”. 

1.  In your Square inventory edit mode, use a barcode scanner and ipad to scan your product barcode into your inventory OR Manually (insert eye roll) type in the barcode of your product item. 

2. Download QR Scanner app.

3. At checkout, use QR scanner to scan the barcode.  When the barcode is generated, hit “copy”. 

4. Exit the QR app and open Squar app. 

5. In the Search Bar, paste the copies barcode.  

6. Your inventory item associated with that barcode should appear.  

7.  Choose the item and checkout. 

[lencomm]

Chad,

  Your response of "One being that Square Point of Sale is available on a number of devices and each device has a different camera and hardware specifications" doesn't really hold water. Barcode reader app designers make these applications to work across just about any mobile smartphone with little problem. If they can do it, and Square engineers can't, maybe Square should hire people who know how to engineer.

[jacdzg2]

How do you scan a barcode with your phone when running a sale on square?

[JustinC]

Hey @jacdzg2 - Square doesn't support barcode scanning with a mobile device. 

I've merge you to a thread where someone else asked a similar question so we an better track this request. 

Thanks for posting! 

[muslimgarments]

Hi, Square

Please enable us to scan barcode with our mobile camera in square android pos like other app does.

[Joe]

HI there, @muslimgarments - thanks for taking the time to reach out to us here on the Seller Community! We are so glad you joined us. Welcome!

And thanks for adding your voice for this feature - this definitely sounds like it would be a cool feature. A few clarifying questions though, which app are you referring to that can already scan with the mobile camera?

Currently, Square offers the ability to use a barcode scanner in conjunction with the Square Stand, but mobile camera scanning is unavailable.

I will keep an eye out for your response!

[williamwm1]

why i can NOT use my iphone or ipad camera to scan barcode

[Joe]

Hi there, @williamwm1 - thanks for reaching out to us here on the Seller Community! Good to hear from you again.

Would you mind clarifying your question/post a bit more? - Are you inquiring about using an iPad or iPhone camera software to scan barcodes? If so, this capability is currently considered a Feature Request for our Hardware. As of now, we only offer the ability to scan barcodes by using an approved barcode scanner for your POS. 

If I missed the mark on interpreting your question, feel free to shoot me a reply here! We are here to help. 

[Independentoutp]

Why is this still not a feature? It is something that would help so much in smaller shops that have inventory. I have a full inventory system for my shop and would love to put some of the more common things into Square but I don't want my employees or me to have to drill through the app to find the one thing the customer is buying.

This seems like such a no brainer. I get using an actual barcode scanner most of the time but when doing transactions on a mobile device like a tablet or phone using the resources already on that device is the preferred option. Other POS systems already have this. Why is this where Square is falling behind?

This thread has been open for years with no signs of this ever being an option.